CONVOY ATTACKED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 89, 26 January 1942, Page 4

CONVOY ATTACKED

BOMBING ENEMY VESSELS. VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS CAUSED. f OPERATIONS IN LIBYAN AREA. (United Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 25. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique says: “R.A.F. bomber and torpedo aircraft, with naval torpedo aircraft, carried out a series of determined and highly-sncccssful attacks <>n an enemy convoy of a 24,000-ton ship, three large merchant vessels, one battleship, four cruisers, and 15 destroyers in the Central Mediterranean during Friday and on Friday night. In the first davlight attacks on Friday bombs fell close to the battleship, which altered its course and the result of the torpedo attachk could not be observed owing to this evasive action. “During the following night naval tor pedo-caiTying aircraft scored a bit amidships on the liner and on tire stern of a destroyer, causing a violent explosion. , “R.A.F. aircraft continued the attack and dropped bombs which caused two violent explosions on the liner. Hits were also scored on the warships. It is thought our of the"cruisers and two of the merchantmen were .Vso hit. The liner was later seen with blonds of smoke issuing from it, and one of the merchant vessels was afire. “After the convoy had been machinegunned from a low level the aircraft resumed the attack, scoring two possible hits on the liner with torpedoes. Subsequent bombing attacks resulted in a number of near misses on the merchantmen. “In daylight next day the convoy was sighted steering cast at a muchreduced rate. No trace was seen of the liner. _ . . . ... “Durihg night operations aircralt also bombed Tripoli harbour, causing a fire which was visible for many miles. “In the battle area of Libya yesterday figliter aircraft* maintained continuous offensive sweeps over Jedabya, Saunna and Mans areas. Two Junker 87’s, one Caproni 42, and one Macchi 200 were destroyed, and another enemy aircraft was damaged. ' A concentration of enemy motor transport vehicles and tanks which were refuelling at Maatnnen cl Grara were effectively machine-gunned. One patrol trailer was set on fire. “During Thursday our bomber aircraft raided store dumps, buildings, and other objectives at Buerat cl Hsun. Enemy motorised units on the raid near "Sirtc were also bombed. “From these and other operations one of our aircraft is missing.”—British Official Wireless.